Automatic shut-off valve



Mar. 13, 1923.

I. H. CARR AUTOMATIC SHUT-OFF VALVE Filed Apr. 18, 1921 2 sheets-sheet 1 I N E I. H. CARR AUTOMATIC SHUT-OFF VALVE Mar. 13,1923.

2 sheetssheet 2 Filed Apr. 18, 1921 vzmwjsifi MUM-06 H11 orney Patented Mar. 13, 1923.

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ISAAC H. CARE, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO.

AUTOMATIC SHUT-OFF VALVE.

Application filed April 18,

To all h am it may concern.

' Be it known that I, lsA o H. CARR, a citizen of the United States, residing at Cincinnati, in the county of Hamilton and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Shut- Off Valves, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to valves whereby a supply of gas or fluid under pressure is automatically cut o-fi, when pressure in the supply no longer exists. My invention is more particularly applicable to devices utilizing combustible gases.

' Heretofore, where the ordinary types of valves havebeen employed, serious accidents have been caused by the supply of gas being interrupted and thereby extinguishing the flame. .lVhen the supply is renewed, the gas is not consumed and pervadesthe building in which the device is'located, forming an explosive mixture with the air. Also, this may cause asphyxiation of persons in the building, especially where natural gas is used, as it has practically no perceptible. odor. f

One of the objects of my invention is the provision of a valve for automatically shuttin'g off the supply of gas, when pressure in said supply ceases to exist.

Another object of my invention is to regulate the amount of gas supplied to' the device with which the valve is connected. I

Another object of my invention is to provide a means to compel the manual "restoration of the valve to an open position, when pressure in thevalve isres'tored.

Another object-of my inventionis to insure the absolute cutting off of the gas when pressure in the source of I supply no longer exists.

Another object of myinvention is to provide a means whereby foreign matter is automatically removedfilrom the valve seat. My. invention consists in the provision of a valve having a two-fold means for cutting off the source of supply from the device with which the valve is connected, when pressure in the source of supply no longer exists, also, in the means whereby it is necessary to manuallyrestore theyalve. to an open position when pressure in the source oflsupply is isstored, further, in. the means ,wherebyforeign matter accumulatingon the valve seat is automatically removed therefrom, and

1921. Serial N0. 452,167.

further, in the means whereby absolute cutting off of the supply is assured. Y My invention further consists in the parts and combination and arrangement of parts, as hereindescribed and claimed. In the drawings: Fig. 1 is a side elevationofmyimproved device; j I Fig. 2 is a'front' elevation of the same; Fig. 3 is a plan view of the same; Fig. tis a vertical longitudinal sectionof the same, taken on the line 4lt of Fig. 2;

Fig. '5 is a horizontal cross section, taken on the line 5+5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a similar view, taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 4;; I

Fig. 7 is a similar View, taken on the line 77 of Fig 4.; I r I Fig. 8 is a crosssection, taken on the line 88 of Fig. 4:; I

Fig. 9 is a similar view showing the bypass valve and taken on the line 99 of Fig. 4:;

Fig. 10 is a vertical longitudinal section, taken through the line 10 -10'of Fig. l. I In the embodiment of my invention as illustrated, an outer shell has integrally formed therewith, a cylinder 21 which has connection with an inlet passage22; The inlet passage may be connected'by threaded connection 23 to suitable piping from a source of supply. I f I The cylinder is preferably located within the casing forming a space 2% therebetween.

A removable cap 25 "closes th'e'upper end of the casing and is secured thereto by threaded connection 26. The upper end of the cylinder is preferably distanced from the cap to form a space 27. Apertures' 28 inthe cyl inder formcommunication between the interior thereof and the space 24.. 1

A primary valve 30 is formed as bya piston movable endwisewithin' the cylinder .21, the cylindrieal'wall 320i which is adapt ed to cover and uncover the apertures 28. The piston has an end wall 33 adapted to be acted on .by'pressure of the gas entering through the inlet passage 22.

valve chamber 87 in a neck 38 formed I in the lower part of the casing has a secondary valve 39 locatedtherein. A passage 40 forms communication between the space 24 and the valve chamber. An outlet passage 41 leading from the valve chamber has threaded connection 42, by which suitable ch amber.

piping may be secured to convey the gas to the burner or other device.

The secondary valve 39 comprises avalve plug 4L5 and valve seat 16 "formed by the bottom wall of the valve chamber.

Means are provided whereby foreign matter that may accumulate on the valve seat, is rapidly broken up and dislodged. Thus, the valve seat has a sharp edge-4C7 adapted'to coact with the conical surface 48 of the valve plug. When particles of foreign matter lodge on the valve seat, they are cut and broken up by the conical surface 48 striking the sharp edge 4&7, which acts as a shear. In this manner, the absolute closing of the secondary valve is assured.

Means are provided whereby the secondary valve is actuated by the primary valve and caused to act in unison therewith when pressure in the supply no longer exists. Thus a stem 50 is secured to the valve plug 45 and has endwise movement in a bearing 51 in a screw plug 52 having threaded connection 53 with the upper end of the valve The screw plug also serves the purpose of closing off the valve chamber from the cylinder. The stem near its upper end is received in a hole 5% in a hub 55 formed on the end wall 33 of the piston,and firmly held therein by a set screw 56. In this manner, any movement of the primary valve is communicated to the secondary valve.

To regulate the flow of gas, an adjusting screw has threaded connection 61 with the cap 25 and passes through a stutling box 62 therein. The screw is manually operated as by a hand wheel 63 secured to the upper end thereof as by having a threaded connection 64 therewith and held in place by a lock nut 65. The projecting end of the stem 50 is received in a base 66 in the screw forming a guide therefor. The screw .adjustablv limits the upward movement of the piston.

In this manner, the apertures 28 are uncovered to a greater or less degree. The piston being thus limited in its movement in turn limits the movement of the valve plug 45 by means of the stem 50. In this manner, the flow of gas through the primary and secondary valves are combinedly regulated.

It will be observed that the gas pervades the space 24 and the space 27 as well as the interior of the cylinder. It therefore follows that the piston will always be held in balanced relation aslonn; as the continues to flow. but should, however, the source of supply for some reason be interrupted, the piston will fall in the cylinder by its own weight, and thus close the apertures 28 and also close the secondary valve 39.

We will'assume that the pressure of gas has been interrupted and t e secondary and primary valves closed. When the pressure of gas is restored, the piston can not move as it is opposed by the residual gas confined in the space about the cylinder. In this manner, the source of supply is effectively shut off from the device in which it is utilized. The gas must pass through the primary and secondary valves consecutively before it can enter the outlet passage. There fore, when these valves are closed, they form a twofold means 0t shutting off the gas, thus effectively guarding against accidents.

Means are provided to manually restore the valves to an open position by permitting the residual gas in the space about the cylinder to escape and thereby allowing the piston to rise. Thus a bypass 70 has interposed therein a valve 71, and forms communication between the passage 40 and the outlet passage ll. A handle 72 is formed on the valve permanently operating the same. lVhenthe valve 71 is opened, the residual gas is permitted to escape, thereby allowing the piston to rise, uncovering the openings 28 and also opening the secondary valve.-

The valve 71 should only be opened momentarily and then closed, so as to confine the residual gas in the space about the cylinder, should the gas pressure again be interrupted.

My improved device .positively assures the automatic shutting oft of the gas when the flow thereof is interrupted, by the secondary valve forming a safeguard for the primary valve, thus adding a twofold element of safety where combustible gases are utilised.

,"Vlmt I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a device of the character described,

. a source of fluid under pressure, .a casing, a

valve in said casing comprising a cylinder, having an open end, and a closedencha tubular connection forming communication. between said closed end and said source of fluid under pressure, said casing having a closed cavity therein communicating with said open end, apertures in said cylinder intermediate of said tubular connection and said open end and forming communication between the interior of said cylinder and said cavity, a piston movable endwise in said cylinder and adapted to be held intermediate ot said apertures and said openend' by pressure from said source and -further adapted to close said apertures when pres sure in said source is interrupted, said closed cavity adapted to prevent the move ment of said piston to open said apertures when pressure in said source is restored, and means to afterwards manually restore said valve to an open position. i

2. In a device of the character described,

a source of fluid under pressu ng, f

primary valve in said caslng comprlsing a cylinder having .a closed end and an open end, a tubular connection between said closed end-and said sourceof fluid under pressure, a piston movable endwise in said cylinder adjacent said'open end, said casing having a cavity therein surrounding said cylinder and having communication with said open end and apertures in said cylinder intermediate of said open e'nd andusa id closed end, said casing having a valve.

ing, a sharp edge formed by said outlet passage and said end wall adapted to act as a valve seat and a valve plug having a conical surface thereon adapted to coact with said sharp edge whereby foreign matter that may lodge thereon is broken up to insure the closing of said valve, a mechanical connec tion between said primary valve and said secondary valve comprising a stem having one end secured to said valve plug, a bearing for said stem intermediate of said valve chamber and said cylinder, a hub in said piston, and a hole in said hub in which said stem is secured adjacent the other end thereof, said piston so arranged as to uncover said apertures and hold said valve plug away from said seat by the action of pres sure in said source and cover said apertures and return said valve plug to said seat when pressure in said source is interrupted, where by the outlet from said cavity is closed to prevent said piston from uncoveringsaid apertures and lifting said valve plug from said seat when pressure in said source is restored, and manual means to afterwards form an outlet for said cavity to permit said piston to be actuated by said pressure in said source to open said primary and secondary valves.

3. In a device of the character described, a source of fluid under pressure, a casing, a primary valve in said casing comprising a cylinder having a closed end and an open end, a tubular connection between said closed end and said source of fluid under pressure, a piston movable endwise in said cylinder adjacent said open end, said casing having a cavity therein surrounding said cylinder and having communication with said open end and. apertures in said cylinder intermediate or" said open end and said closed end, said casing having a valve chamber therein, said casing having a passage therein forming communication between said valve chamber and said cavity, an end wall forming a part of said chamber, said endwall having an outlet passage therein leading from said chamber, a secondary valve in said chamber comprising, a, sharp edge formed by said outlet passage and said end wall adapted to act as a valve seat and" a valve plug having a I conical surface thereon adapted to coact with said sharp edge whereby foreign matter that may lodge thereon is broken up to'insure the closing of said valve, a mechanical connection between said primary valve and said secondary valve comprisinga' stem having oneend'secured. j to said valve plug, a bearing for'said" stem intermediate of said valve chamberand said cylinder, a hub in said piston, and'lja hole in said 'hu'b in which said stem is se cured adjacent the other end thereof, 'said plston so arranged as to uncover said'aper tures and hold said valve plug away from said seat by the action of pressure in said source and cover said apertures and return said valve plug to said seat when pressure in said source is interrupted, whereby the outlet from said cavity is closed to prevent said plston from uncoveringsaid apertures and v lifting said valve plug from said seat when pressure in said source is restored, manual means to afterwards form an' outlet for said cavity to permit said piston to be actuated by said pressure in said source tobpen said primary and secondary valves, and comprising a bypass adapted to form communica tion between said first named passage and said outlet passage, and a manually operated valve in said passage, and means to regulate the flow of pressure'through said primary and secondary valves.

4. In a device of the character described, a source of fluid under pressure, a casing, a primary valve in said casing comprising a cylinder having a closed end and an open end, a tubular connection between said closed end and said source of fluid under pressure, a piston movable endwise in said cylinder adjacent said open end, said casing having a cavity therein surrounding said cylinder and having communication with said open end, and, apertures insaid cylinder inter-- forming communication between said valve chamber and said cavity, an end wall forming a part of said chamber, said end wall having an outlet passage therein leading from said chamber, a secondary valve in said chamber comprising, a sharp edge formed by said outlet passage and said end wall adapted to act as a valve seat and a valve plug having a conical surface thereon adapted to coact with said sharp edge whereby foreign matter that may lodge" thereon is broken up to insure the closing of said valve, a mechanical connection between said primary valve and said secondaryvalve comprising a stem having one end secured to said valve plug, a bearing for said stem intermediate of said valve chamber and said cyl nder, a hub in sald piston, and a hole in said hub in which said stem is secured adjacent the other endthereof, said p ston so arra ged as touncover said apertures and hold said valve plug away from sai-cl seat by the action 0,13 pressure in said source and cover said apertures and return said valve plug torsaid seat when pressure in said source is interrupted, whereby the outlet from said cavity is c'losedlto, prevent said pistonf-rom uncovering said apertures and lifting said valve plug from said seat When pressure in said source is restored; manual means to afterwards form.;an outlet for said cavity to permit said piston to be actuated by said pressure insaid source to open said primary and secondary valves, andfcomprising abypass .adapte(:l .to form communication between said first named passage and said outlet passage, and a manually 0perated valve in said passage, means to regulate the flow of pressure through said primary and secondary valves comprising a screw adapted .to limit the movement of said primary and secondary valves, a threaded connectlon in saidcaslng wherein said screw is received; and ahandwheel on said screw.

ISAAC'H. CARR. 

